"Sefarad" refers to the historical region associated with the Jewish communities that lived in the Iberian Peninsula, primarily in present-day Spain and Portugal. The term is often used to describe the culture, traditions, and heritage of Sephardic Jews, who trace their ancestry to these areas before their expulsion in 1492. After the expulsion, many Sephardic Jews settled in various parts of the world, including North Africa, the Ottoman Empire, and the Americas. They maintained their unique customs, language (often Ladino), and religious practices, contributing to the rich tapestry of Jewish history and culture globally.